maxim



4 Sheets-Sheet H. S. MAXIM.

\GARBURETOR.

(No Model.)

No. 430,213. Pafuehted June 17, 1890.

a w d c "ww fi V d d/ #0 0 mi annals PETERS co., mum-mum, wlsnmaron, n. c

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

H. S. MAXIM.

GARBURBTOR. No. 430,213. Paterg edJun e 1'7, 1890.

i d s r I -8 1 J d a j d da I g6 g 2 d 5 d E e .i I J 9 Zr V n4: Nouns anus co., mom-mm, msums'rou, n. t.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

H. S. MAXIM.

GARBUBETOR.

No. 480,213. Patented June 17,1890.

ag-em (No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4. H. S. MAXIM.

GARBURETOR.

No. 430,213. Patented June 17, 1890.

" FFICE.

HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

CARBURETOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 430,213, dated June 17, 1890.

Application filed June 12, 1889. Serial No. 314,036. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM, mechanical engineer, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of London, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in and Relating to Carburetors, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to carbureting appa-- rat-us chiefly designed for enriching coal-gas. My improved apparatus is, however, also applicable for carbureting atmospheric air and other gases.

Many attempts have heretofore been made to produce carbureted coal-gas with a volatile hydrocarbon-such as gasoline, naphtha, or benzole-"and a great number of patents have been obtained for apparatus for carburetin g gas; but such apparatus as heretofore constructed is defective, for the reason that the degree of carburation of the gas is not constantthat is to say, the quantity of carbon taken up by the gas as it passes through the carburetor varies, the gas, when the apparatus is freshly charged, being enriched to a far greater extent than after the apparatus has been in operation for some considerable time, when the quantity of hydrocarbon taken up by the gas is very much reduced. The density is also much affected by the number of burners in use or the quantity of carbu reted gas eonsumed,'by the specific gravity of the hydrocarbon employed, by the temperature of the atmosphere, and by the length of time the burners have been in use. A peculiar burner, moreover, is required for gas of a particular density, as it has been found impracticable to so construct an apparatus that the same burner will serve for all degrees of density of the carbureted gas.

The main object of my invention is to pro vide for the production of carbureted coalgas in proportion to the consumption thereof in such a manner as to insure its being of equal or uniform richness or density, notwithstanding any variations in the number of burners in use, the length of time during which such burners are used, the quality of the liquid hydrocarbon employed,or the temperature of the air around the apparatus.

My said invention is further designed to of carbureted gas consumed.

provide for the use of gasoline or other hydrocarbon of different qualities or of different degrees of specific gravity in such a manner that the residue of hydrocarbon will not be deterioratedthat is to say, the heavy and light portions of the liquid hydrocarbon will be vaporized and will. pass together into a mixing-chamber, in which the vapor will be mixed with the gas to be carbureted, and the residue of unvaporized hydrocarbon will not become deteriorated or heavier. By my invention, moreover, I am enabled to employ heavier andcheaper qualities of hydrocarbon than have heretofore been used for carbureting gas.

1n carbureting apparatus as heretofore constructed, in which heat is employed for vaporizing the hydrocarbon, there is great liability to overheating of the hydrocarbon and consequent carbureting of the gas to a degree far above that which is desired. Moreover, the attendant is liable to forget to shut off the steam or other heating medium when the flow of gas through the apparatus has been arrested. The result is that great pressure is generated in the carburetor, sometimes with the effect of bursting the same, and in any case driving into the pipes large quantities of the vapor, which condenses therein.

My improved apparatus is so constructed that no hydrocarbon vapor can passinto the.

mixing-chamber, except when gas to becarbureted is flowing into and through the apparatus. the pipes, because the gas will not be .too strongly carbureted, any given quantity of There is no risk of condensation in gas which passes through the apparatus allowing the corresponding quantity of hydrocarbon vapor to be mixed with it.

An important feature of my said invention is the employment of a gasometer or equivalent device, which is suspended in or acted up on by the carbureted gas, and is so arranged that it Will regulate or control the flow of gas through the apparatus and also the admission of the hydrocarbon vapor into the l'nixing-chamber, according to the amount The said device is in some cases also arranged to regulate or control the supply of gas to a burner for heating the vaporizing or hydrocarbon chamber. This device, which in construction resembles an ordinary gasometer, is in function really a valve which is raised or lowered according to the relative pressure in the supply-pipe to the burners, being raised by a reduction of the pressure in said pipe to supply gas to the burners.

Another feature of my said invention is the arrangement of the vaporizing or hydrocarbon chamber,in combination with a tank, for the supply of liquid hydrocarbon thereto in such a manner that no pressure will be produced in the said chamber, except by the vaporization of the l1ydrocarbon,and so that no liquid hydrocarbon can pass through the aperture for the admission of the hydrocarbon vapor to the mixing-chamber.

My said invention, moreover, comprises other improvements, hereinafter set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a vertical central section of one form of my improved carburetor. Fig. 2 is a transverse section on the line mm, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical central section of another form or modification of my improved carburetor. Fig. 4 shows in vertical central section a portion of the apparatus illustrated in Fig. 3 drawn to an enlarged scale. Fig. 5 is a vertical central sectionon the line 00 as, Fig. 4, illustrating a detail of construction. Fig. 6is a sectional elevation showing the tank or reservoir for the liquid hydrocarbon and the manner of connecting the carburetor therewith.

a is a chamber or casing, which is closed at its upper end by a cover a, and to the lower end of which is firmly secured the mixingchamber 1). The part b of the said mixingchamber 17 extends upward within the chamber or casing a, thus forming between the walls of the said chambers an annular space 0, which is filled or partly filled with mercury or other suitable liquid. This annular space is preferably made very narrow, so that the quantity of mercury required is not great.

d is a gasometer or gas-holder of thin sheet metal, having numerous perforations d, for the purpose hereinafter explained. This gasometer orgas-holder is arranged to move freely up and down in the annular space 0 containing the mercury. This gasometer acts as a valve to regulate the quantity of gas admitted to the mixing-ch amber, and from thence to the supply-pipes, as will hereinafter appear. The mixing-chamber b is provided with an inletpipe e for the admission of gas to be carbureted, and the chamber a is provided with an outlet-pipeffor the fiow of the carbureted gas to the burners or other devices for its consumption. A vaporizing orhyd rocarbon chamber g is firmly secured to the lower end of the mixing-chamber b, and the part 9 of the said vaporizing-chamber extends upward within the mixing-chamber.

In the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the extension g of the vaporizing-chamber g is provided with a circular aperture g for the passage of the hydrocarbon vapor into the said mixing-chamber. The said vaporizing or hydrocarbon chamber 9 is connected by a pipe h with a reservoir or tank 4", as shown in Fig. 6, for the supply of the liquid gasoline, naphtha, or other hydrocarbon. This tank may be situated at a convenient distance from the machine. The top of the tank should, however, be at such a level as to prevent the flow of liquid hydrocarbon through the opening g in the upper end of the hydrocarbonchamber 9 into the mixing-chamber b-that is to say, the top of the tank should be below the level of the said opening 9 A stem or spindle j is attached at its upper end to the gasometer d, and is provided at its lower end with a taper part or valvej, arranged to slide freely up and down in the aperture 9 in the upper end of the vaporizing or hydrocarbon chamber g. The valvej is made triangular or of other suitable form in transverse section, and, being tapered, as above stated, it follows that by raisingorlowerin g itin the circular aperture g the passage for the flow of hydrocarbon vapor from the chamber 9 into the mixing chamber Z) will be enlarged or reduced. The stem or spindle j is, moreover, provided with a circular beveled collarj adapted to close the said aperture 9 when the gasometer (Z is at the lower end of its stroke or movement.

A casing or jacket is fitted on the lower end of the mixing-chamber b and surrounds the vaporizing-chamber g, a suitable space It being left between the said chamber 9 and the casing to form a heating-chamber. A ring or annular piece Z, having in one portion or segment thereof a number of perforations Z, is firmly secured between the said chamber 9 and casing it. Vertical partitionsm are, moreover, arranged between the chamber g and the casing 70, and extend from the said ring or annular piece Z to near the top of the vaporizing-chamber 9, so as to divide the heatingchamber 70 into two parts communicating with each other at their upper end. An Argand burn er n is arranged Within the casing or jacket 70 and surrounds the chamber g below the said ring or annular piece l. The lower end of the said casing 7c is left open for the admission of air to support the combustion of the gas issuing from the said Argand burner, and holes k are formed in the said casing 70 at the lower end of the heating-chamber 70 for the escape of the products of combustion. By the construction of the heating apparatus in this manner I provide for pre venting the passage of currents of cold air around the vaporizing-chamber g after the supply to the burner n has been cut oif-that is to say, there will then be in the chamber is two columns of heated air of equal height, one on each side of the partitions m. These columns will counterbalance each other, and there being no aperture at the upper part of the chamber 70 for the escape of the heated air therefrom there will be practically no flow of air through the said chamber, except when heat is applied by means of the said burner.

The burner n is supplied with gas from the mixing-chamber I) through a pipe 0, provided with a cock 0 and connected with another pipe 13, which extends upward within the said mixing-chamber b.

To provide for the automatic control of the supply of gas to the Argand burner n, so that the flame will be larger or smaller, according to the quantity of carbureted gas being eonsumed, a taper rod or valve q is attached to a collar 7' on the spindle j and is arranged to slide freely up and down in the upper end of the pipe 19 for the supply of gas to the said burner, so that the said valve will be operated by the gasometer d.

The tank 7', Fig. 6, for containing the liquid hydrocarbon, is, as above stated, connected by the pipe h with the vaporizing-chamber g. The said pipe 71 is provided with a valve h for shutting off communication between the said tank and the vaporizing-chamber. The said pipe is, moreover, connected by another pipe 8 with the top of the supply-tank r, so that should heat be applied to the vaporizingchamber while the valve h is closed the liquid hydrocarbon may flow from the said chamber through the said pipe 8 into the tank 1*.

The gasoline or other liquid hydrocarbon in the tank 1" should not be under pressure. It should either be exposed to the atmospheric pressure or the tank should be closed and connected by a pipe 25 to the supply-pipe f for the carbureted gas, so that as the gasoline flows out of the tank the gas will enter the same, and vice versa, thus insuring an approximate balance of pressure throughout the apparatus. The gasoline will enter the hydrocarbon-chamber until it attains therein the same level as that in the tank. The said tank should be large and shallow, so that the level of the gasolinewill not vary greatly in the said chamber.

By having the tank situated at a distance from the heating apparatus great safety in the use of the apparatus is insured, as only a small quantity of hydrocarbon need be kept in or near the building to be lighted, the tank being placed at a safe distance therefrom.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows, viz: The vaporizing-chamber g, being filled or partly filled with the liquid gasoline or other hydrocarbon, is heated by means of l the Argand burner 71,. The flame or products of combustion ascending from the said burner impinge against the ring or annular piece Z and pass through the holes Z therein into the heating-chamber k on one side of the chamber g and partitions m. They then ascend and pass over the partitions m and descend on the other side of the said partitions and the chamber 9, and finally pass out of the casing is through the holes k The heat evaporates the gasoline, and the pressure thus generated forces the liquid gasoline downward in the chamber g and causes some of it to flow back into the tank. hen the pressure above the gasometer dis diminished by the consumption of the carbureted gas, the pressure of the gas entering through the inlet e raises the gasometer cl until a greater or less number of its holes (1' are above the surface of the mercury in the space a, so that the carbureted gas may pass from the mixing-chamber I) through the said holes. The greater the number of holes above the surface of the mercury the greater will be the quantity of carbureted gas allowed to pass to the burners or other devices for consuming it. As the gasometer rises and opens the holes for the passage of the carbureted gas, it also raises the spindle j, and thus correspondingly opens the passage g for the flow of the hydrocarbon vapor from the chamber g into the mixing-chamber b and at the same time correspondingly opens the passage for the carbureted gas from the mixing-chamber to the Argand burner 07, through the pipes 19 and 0. \Vhen the burners for consuming the carbureted gas are closed and there is consequently no flow of gas through the apparatus, the gasometer descends until all of the holes therein are below the surface of the mercury, and the collar j on the spindle j falls on its seat 9 at the upper end of the hydrocarbon-chamber g, and thus shuts off the supply of hydrocarbon vapor to the mixing-chamber b, and the valve q nearly shuts off the supply to the Argand burner, so that only sufficient gas can pass through the pipe 19 to keep the flame of the said burner alight. It will therefore be seen that the apparatus is completely automatic in its action, and the greater the quantity of gas consumed the greater will be the amount of hydrocarbon vapor admitted to the mixing-chamber and the greater the quantity of gas allowed to flow through the gasometer to the outlet-pipe and through the pipe 1.) to the Argand burner n. The holes d in the gasometer cl must be so made as to bear a certain relation to the opening 9 for the passage of the vapor from the hydrocarbon-chamber into the mixing-chamber, so that the quantity of vapor admitted to the said mixing-chamber will always be suitably proportionate to the quantity of gas passing through the apparatus. If the said holes were too large the gasometer would rise but slightly and only a small quantity of vapor would be admitted to the mixing-chamber. On the contrary, if the holes were very small the gasometer would rise too high and too large a quantity of the gasoline-vapor would be admitted. If desired, the valve q is allowed to completely close the pipe 19 for the supply of gas to the Argand burner, and in order to ignite the gas when it issues from this burner a small auxiliary burner is used, which is only large enough for this purpose. Therefore when the apparatus is not in use it will cool completely, and no gas, except that required for the aforesaid auxiliary burner, will be consumed. \Vhen, however, the burners to be supplied with carbureted gas are in use, the gasometer will ascend, the Argand burner ITO will receive gas to be ignited by the flame from the auxiliary burner, and pressure will be produced in the hydrocarbon-chamber by the heating of the hydrocarbon. The liquid hydrocarbon will descend by the pressure generated by the formation of the vapor, and the rich vapor will then pass through the opening in the hydrocarbon-chamber and will unite with the illuminating-gas entering at the inlet 6, as hereinbefore described.

In the modification of my invention shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5 I provide for the employ ment of steam for vaporizing the liquid hydrocarbon. In this modification the perforated gasometer or gas-holder d is provided at its lower end with a strengthening-ring (V, which may also serve to regulate the buoyancy of the said gasometer in the mercury contained in the space 0. The vaporizing or hydrocarbon chamber g is provided with a tubular part g, extending upward within the mixing-chamber b, and having screwed upon its upper end a cap or bearing'g in which is fitted to slide a tube j, firmlyattached at its upper end to the gasometer (Z. This tube is closed at its upper end and is open at its lower end. It is provided with a distance-piece j, which keeps it central within the tubular extension g of the vaporizing-chamber, while permitting it to move freely up and down therein. A collar or valve j is fiXed on the tube j and is fitted to a seat formedin the cap 9 so. that when the gasometer is in its lowest position it will shut off all communication between the vaporizing-chamber g and the mixing-chamber 13, and will also serve as a support for the gasometer. The tube j is pierced with one or more vertical series of holes 3' which holes are brought successively above the cap or bearing 9 as the gasometer rises. By this simple arrangement I provide for the enlargement or reduction of the passage for the flow of hydrocarbon vapor from the chamber g into the mixing-chamber 1), according to the rate at which the gas is being consumed.

To provide for more effectually regulating the flow of hydrocarbon vapor into the mixing-chamber, a tubej is fitted to slide in the tube j and is pierced with one or more vertical series of holes f, corresponding in size with those in the outer tube j. The tube 3' is closed at its upper end by a plate or disk 3'", formed with a screw-threaded hole, into which is fitted an adjusting-screw 7 This screw is passed through the cap or cover j 011 the upper end of the tube j. Aspring is placed between the cap or cover and the end plate j". The holes in the tube 3 can be justified or made to coincide with those in the tube j, or can be made to overlapthem, more or less, by adjusting the tube 7 relatively to the tube j by means of the set-screw 9' The flow of hydrocarbon vapor from the chamber g into the mixing-chamber b can thus be very accurately regulated or determined. Itis obvious that I can, if desired,

dispense with the spring 9' and provide means for preventing endwise movement of the adj Listing-screw 7' while permitting its rotation in the cap or cover 7' The head of the said adjusting-screw is countersunk in the cover 9' and is inclosed by a cap 7' screwed upon the said cover, so as to prevent leakage of the hydrocarbon vapor through the hole in the said cover for the said screw 7 The chamber 9 is provided with horizontal strengthening-plates g which are firmly attached to the wall of the said chamber in any suitable manner and are formed with apertures g to permit the free passage of the hydrocarbon through them. The apertures in the said plates are preferably so arranged that those in one of the said plates are not opposite those in either of the adjacent plates. The effectual and uniform heating of the hydrocarbon is thus insured. The said plates g effectually prevent collapse of the chamber v 9 under the pressure of the steam used for heating the said chamber, as hereinafter specified.

k is a casing or jacket which surrounds the vaporizing-chamber g, and which is made strong enough to withstand a high internal pressure. The said casing or jacket is closed at its lower end by a cover M, which fits upon atubular extension 9 of the vaporizing-chamber g, and is provided with a stuffing-box 70 for insuring tightness of the joint around the said extension. By this arrangement the vaporizing-chamber gis held truly central within the casing or jacket 70. The said casing or jacket is provided with an inlet-pipe 70 for the admission of steam, and with a pipe 70 for the escape or discharge of the water of condensation. The pipe 70 may, if desired, be provided with a suitable steam-trap. The pipe 72, for the supply of liquid hydrocarbon to the chamber g, is connected with the extension g of the said chamber.

The operation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 3 to 5 is substantially similar to that of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Steam at a pressure, say, of one hundred pounds lbs.) per square inch is admit-ted into the heating chamber or jacket 7c through the inlet-pipe k and evaporates the liquid hydrocarbon contained in the vaporizing-chamber g. The vapor thus formed passes up the tube j and through such of the holes 7' and 7' as may be raised above the valve-seat in the cover 9 into the mixing-chamber b, where it mixes with the gas to be carbureted, and the mixture passes thence through the holes in the gasometer, as hereinbefore described.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that by my invention I provide a carburetor which will operate continuously and in which the regulation is automatically effected. Moreover, during the operation of the apparatus the liquid hydrocarbon is constantly flowing from the tank into the vaporizing-chamber. Therefore, notwithstanding IIO variations in the specific gravity of the hydrocarbon used from time to time, practically the whole of the hydrocarbon supplied to the vaporizing-chamber will be vaporized.

I do not confine myself to the special forms of construction hereinbefore described, as the same may be very greatly varied. For example, in place'of the device which I have herein designated as a gasometer, I may employ any other form of valve which will rise and fall according to the pressure on its opposite sides to effect the same result.

It is evident that my improved apparatus is applicable for carbureting atmospheric air and other gas.

hat I claim is 1. In a carburetor, the combination, with a vaporizing-chamber and a mixing-chamber, of a valve mechanism located within a passage or chamber intermediate to the mixingchamber and the burners and adapted to be moved or operated by variations in the relative pressures on its opposite sides, and a valve between the vaporizing and mixing chambers connected with or operated by said regulating mechanism, whereby the flow of gas or vapor from the vaporizing into the mixing chamber is controlled according to the consumption of the carbureted gas, as set forth.

2. In a carburetor, the combination, with the vaporizing-chamber and the mixing-chamber, of a gasometer or valve provided with outlet-ports adapted to be opened in proportion to the elevation of the same and suspended in or acted upon by the gas, and valve mechanism between the vaporizing and mixing chambers controlled by the said gasomete'r or valve, as herein set forth.

3. In a carburetor, the combination, with a vaporizing-chamber and a mixing-chamber, of a valve mechanism located within a passage or chamber intermediate to the mixingchamber and the burners and adapted to be raised or lowered in its chamber by variations in the relative pressures on its opposite sides, a heater for the vaporizingchamber, and connections therefrom to the valve for varying and controlling the effect of said heater according to the consumption of gas by the burners, as set forth.

4. In a carburetor, the combination, with a vaporizing-chamber and a mixing-chamber, of a gasometer over the outlet of the mixingchamber and contained in a closed passage or chamber connected with the supply-pipes and burners and forming avalve for controlling the admission of gas to said burners, a gas-burner for heating the vaporizingchamber, and connections therefrom to the gasometer, whereby the said burner will be controlled or regulated according to the position of the gasometer, as herein set forth.

5. In a carburetor, the combination, with the vaporizing and mixing chambers, of a gasometer adapted to be raised and lowered by the relative difference in pressure between the inixing chamber and the supply-pipes and provided with a series of perforations, through which a greater or less fiowof gas will take place into the supply-pipes according to the elevation. of the gasometer, as set forth.

6. In a carburetor, the combination, with the chamber or compartment wherein the gas is produced, of a cylinder closed at the top and resting in a fluid, such as mercury, in a closed chamber from which the supply-pipe leads, and forming a seal for said chamber, and provided with a series of perforations through which a greater or less flow of gas will take place into said supply-pipes, according to the elevation of the said cylinder, as set forth.

'7. The combination, with the mixing-chamber, the vaporizing-chamber communicating therewith, and a tank or reservoir for liquid hydrocarbon connected with the vaporizingchamber, of a gasometer in a chamber intermediate of the mixing-chamber and the supply-pipes, and a valve between the vaporizing and mixing chambers connected with and controlled by the gasometer, as set forth.

8. The combination, with the mixing-chamber and the vaporiZing-chamber, of a gasometer adapted to serve as a valve between the mixing-chamber and the supply-pipes and operated by variations in the relative pressures between the same, a burner under the vaporizing-chamber supplied by gas from the mixing-chamber, and a valve therein connected with and controlled by the gasometer, as set forth.

9. The combination, with the vaporizingchamber of a carburetor, of a surrounding casing divided by vertical partitions extending u early to the top thereof, a source of heat applied to the open bottom of one of the compartments formed around said vaporizer by the partitions, and a vent or escape for the products of combustion at or near the closed bottom of the other compartment, whereby the products of combustion will pass upward and then downward, as set forth.

10. In a carburetor, the combination, with the vaporizing and mixing chambers and a gasometer contained in the latter and dividing it from the supply-pipes, of a perforated tube fitted to-slide in a perforated extension of the vaporizing-chamber entering the mixing-chamber, as herein described.

11. In a carburetor, the combination, with a vaporizing and a mixing chamber and a gasometer contained in the latter and dividing it from the supply-pipes, of two perforated tubes, one fitted with a capability of adjustment within the other for regulating the flow of gas into the mixing-chamber, as set forth. I

12. In a carburetor, the combination of the following parts constructed and combined in the manner set forth, to wit: a vaporizingchamber, a mixing-chamber, a gasometer in the latter chamber dividing it from the supply-pipes, the cap or hearing, the perforated tubes fitted one Within another and arranged to slide in the said cap or bearing, the collar or valve formed or fixed on the other tube, and means for adjusting one of said tubes relatively to the other.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing IO Witnesses.

HIRAM STEVENS MAXIM.

\Vitnesses:

DAVID YOUNG, CHAS. B. BURDON. 

